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SSI electric vehicles record
July 14, 2016
Electric vehicle popularity has grown rapidly on Salt Spring Island, which now has the highest density of EVs in Canada. Jim Standen tells us step by step how this change was brought about.
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Electric vehicle cross-Canada roadtrip
June 30, 2016
A Saanich couple is towing their camping trailer to St Johns, Newfoundland, behind their all electric vehicle. The 3-month roadtrip is for fun and to show it can be done. They want to inspire others, see www.teslaxcanada.com.
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Feed-in tariffs help renewable energy grow
June 30, 2016
David Suzuki looks at feed-in tariffs and how they have helped renewable energy generation and use in places such as Germany. Is feed-in the perfect tool to help governments encourage an energy shift?
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Record growth in renewable energies
June 16, 2016
Renewable energy is growing in leaps and bounds, according to a report by the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century. Investment in renewable energy smashed through records in 2015 and shows no signs of stopping.
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Community solar for the Gulf Islands
April 7, 2016
Salt Spring Community Energy Group talks about an idea whose time has come; investing in community solar projects which supply more than one household and feed energy to the grid. (Related article in News Digest). Salt Spring’s Community Energy Conference is on Saturday, April 23, see ‘What’s On?, page 5 for details.
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Electrify your garden, and everything else in BC
February 11, 2016
Some folks harvest strawberries, but Peter Nix harvests kilowatts and says the return is better. He makes a convincing case for investing in solar electricity.
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Low-impact energy news - schools lead the way
November 26, 2015
Public buildings on Salt Spring and Pender are leading the way into the new low-impact energy economy. Gulf Islands Secondary School gym roof is already out-performing projections. In 9 months, Pender’s Recycling Depot’s roof has generated more energy than the facility needs in a year. Next in line is Pender School, with the help of an enlightened school district. Island-style fundraising will make it a sure thing—will you help?
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Yet another islands’ solar project
May 14, 2015
Phase one of a micro-grid solar project on Lasqueti Island has been completed at the Judith Fisher Centre campus.
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Pender Solar Initiative Gets Green Light
February 19, 2015
A Pender Island solar initiative has been awarded a grant by the Nu-to-Yu to install a 39-panel solar photovoltaic system on the roof of the recycling depot.
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Could trucks, ships and planes be 100% renewable?
January 22, 2015
Practical visionary Guy Dauncey looks at the advances made in transportation world-wide.
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Cowichan Solar’s Bulk Buy
November 27, 2014
Guy Dauncey talks about Cowichan’s recent solar bulk-buy. Is solar micro generation speeding up in BC?
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Cleaner air, anyone?
October 30, 2014
Bruce Boland takes a ride in Greenpower’s super quiet electric bus and explains its technology. Could a mini version work on the Gulf Islands?
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BCHydro net metering
August 21, 2014
A BCHydro program using Smart Meters connects renewable energy producers to the grid. Participants can receive an annual net payment for energy fed into the grid, using power from the system when they need it.
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Solar Colwood
August 21, 2014
An initiative of the City of Colwood offers incentives and expert advice concerning solar technology.
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Renewable Energy on Gabriola Island
August 7, 2014
A newly formed non-profit organization called GabEnergy is starting a solar co-operative on Gabriola to get their island running on green power.
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Is BC paying too much for carbon offset credits?
February 28, 2013 | Sara Miles
Crown Corporation Pacific Carbon Trust has been making a handy mark-up on selling carbon offsets; how will the revenue be spent?
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Book review: Traveling in hope, a guide to good things
October 18, 2012 | Christa Grace-Warrick
Take a tour of the renewable energy archipelago, with Chris Turner’s book, ‘Geography of Hope’.
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How India’s epic blackout could launch a solar revolution
September 20, 2012 | Chris Turner
Chris Turner, Calgary Centre byelection candidate, tells about the potential for distributed electricity generation following the largest black-out the world has ever seen.
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Tidal power coming to the Salish Sea?
May 3, 2012 | Sara Miles
Western Tidal Holdings plan to investigate the possibility of tidal power in Porlier Pass and Dodd Narrows.
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Canadian Energy Policy
April 7, 2011
Safe energy is not in short supply. If we wean ourselves off nuclear and fossil-fuel dependency, the future looks brighter. Let's be sure to elect MPs that will move in the right direction.
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Counting Carbon
December 9, 2010
So you asked us to explain carbon offsets, Sara Miles takes a good look at the the ins and outs - and gives a vote for what we really should do, which is cut down.
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Energy efficient landscaping
September 16, 2010
Brian Crumblehulme informs us that carefully placed trees and bushes can make your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, thereby saving heating dollars and carbon footprint.
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Task forces face impossible task
January 21, 2010
Premier Campbell's Green Energy Task Forces are to report back in January after only two months including a Christmas break. How can energy policy issues be solved with little opportunity for public input.
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Wind energy gets green light; how to help the industry go big?
January 24, 2008 | Erik Andersen
The wind turbine generation industry is setting a blistering development pace. An annual compounding growth rate of 30% is leaving everyone standing in awe. Reports from the Pacific Northwest describe ‘land rushes’ for any and all reasonable locations for wind turbine parks.
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